Recipes for Cancer-Fighting Fruit

August 27, 2019
Peaches and plums are delicious in many dessert recipes and they're good for your health too. Plums and peaches contain two types of polyphenols (antioxidants) that may help kill breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact, say research from Texas A&M. The researchers also found that plums and peaches have antioxidant levels to rival blueberries. Try our fresh peach recipes for peach pie, peach cobbler and peach frozen yogurt, as well as our fresh plum recipes.
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Plum Betty

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The combo of cooked fruit layered with breadcrumbs or cubes, which defines the humble betty, doesn't sound like much. But something special happens when it's all baked together and the bread gets soft and gooey with the juices of the fruit. In this plum betty, chopped walnuts add a crunchy touch mixed in with the bread. Pecans or almonds are also tasty options.

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Lavender-Poached Peaches & Blackberries

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Serve this colorful lavender-spiked blackberry-peach compote at a brunch or with small scoops of vanilla frozen yogurt for a glorious yet healthful dessert. If you can, choose freestone over cling peaches for this recipe: the pits will pull out more easily, which helps keep the peach halves intact. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell.

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Peach, Rhubarb & Ginger Crisp

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In this fruit crisp, the crunchy oatmeal topping and the peach-rhubarb filling get a lively kick from finely chopped crystallized ginger. (If you're not a ginger fan just leave it out.) The fruit filling is sweetened to match the peach-rhubarb combination--if you use other fruit that is very ripe and/or sweet, reduce the sugar in the filling to 3 tablespoons. The topping can be made ahead, so consider making a double batch and storing half in the freezer to have on hand for a quick dessert.

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Old-Fashioned Fruit Crumble For Two

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A fruit crumble is a sure way to satisfy the sweet tooth and add another serving of fruit to your diet. We've used blueberries here, but any fresh or frozen fruit can stand in to meet your family's taste preference. Leave small berries whole, but peel, pit and chop larger fruits, such as peaches or plums.

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Brown Sugar Peach Shortcakes

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Brown sugar-sweetened shortcakes with fresh, ripe peaches and a lightly sweetened cream topping that's reminiscent of crème fraîche is the perfect ending to a summer meal.

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Peach Frozen Yogurt

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We like to use chopped frozen peaches, but you can use frozen berries or whatever frozen fruit you have on hand in this ultra-quick frozen yogurt that is made without an ice cream maker.

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Plum Chutney

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Try this summertime spread on crackers with cream cheese or as a dipping sauce for grilled chicken.

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Peach Custard Pie

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We use low-fat milk along with nonfat Greek yogurt in the creamy custard for this peach pie. The yogurt gives the custard a smooth texture without using cream or too many egg yolks. A slice is just as delicious served warm from the oven as it is chilled. For an added treat, serve topped with fresh blueberries.

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Peach & Blueberry Cobbler

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This is a healthier version of a traditional cobbler, with canola oil in place of some of the butter and whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. Unlike more classic biscuit-topped cobblers, the peaches and blueberries are nestled into a tender batter that swells around the fruit as it bakes. Other fruits may be substituted. It's especially beautiful when baked in and served right from a cast-iron skillet.

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Chunky Peach Popsicles

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Make sure to reserve a portion of the peaches as you puree the mixture so the pops will be packed with icy cold, chunky bits of fruit. For a grown-up twist, try adding 1 to 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh mint, lemon verbena or basil.

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Honey-Lavender Plum Gratin

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Infusing milk with lavender buds perfumes the honey-sweetened custard, creating an unusual, lovely backdrop for juicy plums. A quick pass under the broiler caramelizes the top. Note: Because the custard is stabilized with cornstarch, you can let it reach a gentle simmer.

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Roasted Peach Sundaes

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This easy dessert satisfies a sweet tooth while adding another serving of fruit, contributing vitamins and antioxidants.

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Plum & Apple Compote with Vanilla Custard

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Jennifer Sanders of Cambridge, Ontario, came up with this winning combination of plums and apples, which she stews into a compote and accompanies with a light and comforting custard sauce.

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Grilled Peaches & Angel Food Cake with Red-Wine Sauce

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Grilling luscious seasonal fruit is the perfect way to end an outdoor celebration. Here, peaches soften and caramelize over a moderate fire before melding with a fruity red-wine sauce and toasted slices of (store-bought) angel food cake.

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Plum-Almond Upside-Down Cake

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Jewel-like plums are beautiful in this almond-flavored upside-down cake.

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